Ukrainian Railways calls tender to buy 22 passenger cars for $27 mln

MOSCOW. Nov 14 (Interfax) - Ukrzaliznytsia or Ukrainian Railways has announced a tender for a contract worth UAH980.45 million (over $27 million at current exchange rate) to purchase 22 new passenger cars, Ukrainian media reported, citing the website of electronic public procurements system Prozorro.

The tender is being held thanks to additional government financing for the program to update the company's rolling stock. The deadline for submitting tender proposals is November 20 and the auction is scheduled to start on November 21.

Ukrainian Railways' press service said the company plans to buy 11 four-berth sleeper cars, three two-berth sleeper cars, seven open-plan sleeper cars, and one car for carrying passengers with disabilities.

The company said the number of purchased cars will be determined when the possibility and amount of additional government financing for the program to update rolling stock are finally confirmed.

Ukraine's Finance Ministry announced on November 7 that it would provide UAH11 billion in budget support for Ukrainian Railways in 2023. This includes UAH5 billion from the government, UAH3.9 billion from the European Investment Bank and UAH2.1 billion from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Ukrainian Railways signed a contract with the Kryukov Railway Car Building Works (KVSZ) in October to buy 44 passenger cars for UAH1.951 billion for delivery by December 31, 2025.

In the spring of 2023, KVSZ completed an order to deliver 100 passenger cars to Ukrainian Railways under a contract worth over UAH3 billion signed in 2021, but noted overdue payment.

The official exchange rate was UAH36.08/$1 on November 13.